
Toronto has seen a significant rise in hate crime calls to local police since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this month, according to recent statements from the city’s Police Chief. During a board meeting of the Toronto Police Services, Chief Myron Demkiw disclosed a 132 per cent increase in daily hate-related service calls following the commencement of the Middle Eastern conflict.
The upsurge mirrors not only an intensification of hate-motivated incidents but also an amplified tension felt across the public sphere, remarked Demkiw in his regular monthly update. Police confirmation of specific hate crimes identifies a disturbing range of offences spanning mischief, the issuance of death threats, and criminal harassment.
In the period between January 1 and October 7, the Toronto police recorded 237 reports of hate crime, marking an increase from the 192 incidents reported during the same timeframe in the previous year. In a stark comparison, during the initial days of the war from October 7 to October 9, the city reported an unsettling additional 14 hate crime incidents, in contrast to just five documented incidents across the corresponding period last year and a solitary reported incident this year.
Out of the 14 incidents reported, 12 were instances of antisemitism, with the remaining two involving anti-Muslim and anti-Islam events. “We have remained unwavering in our stance that the Toronto Police Service will not condone any act of violence, intimidation, or hate towards any individual or community,” stressed Demkiw, affirming their firm commitment to providing vigilant, resolute service to all Toronto communities and residents.
In light of the unfolding conflict that began with a surprise assault by Hamas—a militant group classified as a terrorist organisation by the Canadian government—on Israel, killing over 1,400 and resulting in almost 200 hostages; the Toronto police amplified their presence surrounding Jewish and Palestinian communities and other worship venues. Israel’s counter-attack consisted of several airstrikes inundating the Gaza Strip, an action leading to over 3,500 fatalities along with injuries surpassing 12,000, as cited by the Gaza Health Ministry.
The depth of these overseas events reverberates into Toronto, where family members, friends and loved ones agonise over the safely of those residing in the conflict’s epicentre, all while grappling with fear for their security within the city, acknowledged Demkiw. Engaging in conversations with many members of both Jewish and Palestinian communities, the police chief emphasised the gravity of the anxieties smoldering in Toronto.
In light of these evolving hard realities, Demkiw noted that the additional safety measures procured in response to the war would persist for the foreseeable future. These provisions include conspicuous patrols and tactical deployments aimed at securing places of worship, academic institutions, and community centres.
The strategic deployment of two command posts within the community was further announced to enable convenient engagement opportunities with police officers. He also informed that officers have been instructed to be in uniform and stay prepared for rapid deployments as per the operational requirements at any instant.